Tony Blair, Boris Johnson and wrestling star John Cena among guests at lavish wedding of Asia's richest man

13 July 2024, 07:58 | Updated: 13 July 2024, 08:48

Tony Blair was among a star-studded guest list at the wedding of the son of India's richest man
Tony Blair was among a star-studded guest list at the wedding of the son of India's richest man. Picture: Getty Images

By Will Conroy

Former UK prime ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair were among the famous faces to attend the wedding celebrations of the son of India's richest man in Mumbai on Friday.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The two politicians were part of a star-studded guest list, including Bollywood actors, athletes and musicians, that were invited to Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's ceremony.

The extravagant four-day event will mark the end of a series of elaborate parties the Ambani family has hosted since March to celebrate the marriage.

Anant Ambani is the son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, Asia's richest man while Radhika Merchant is the daughter of pharma tycoons Viren and Shaila Merchant.

Tony Blair attended Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding in Mumbai with his wife, Cherie
Tony Blair attended Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding in Mumbai with his wife, Cherie. Picture: Getty
Former PM Boris Johnson was in Mumbai for the celebrations
Former PM Boris Johnson was in Mumbai for the celebrations. Picture: Getty

The former prime ministers were joined by a host of A-list celebrities including Kim and Khloe Kardashian, John Cena, and Joe Jonas, who attended with his wife and bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his wife Leena Al Ashqar were also spotted at the wedding.

The list of guests expected over the course of the celebrations includes Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Ivanka Trump, Bill Gates and David and Victoria Beckham.

Former Indian president Ram Nath Kovind, British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron, and US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti are also in Mumbai for the celebrations.

Wrestling superstar and actor John Cena was also in attendance
Wrestling superstar and actor John Cena was also in attendance. Picture: Getty
Singer-songwriter Nick Jonas was at the celebrations with wife and bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Singer-songwriter Nick Jonas was at the celebrations with wife and bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Picture: Getty
Kim and Khloe Kardashian were among the A-list wedding guests
Kim and Khloe Kardashian were among the A-list wedding guests. Picture: Getty
FIFA President Gianni Infantino  with his wife Leena Al Ashqar
FIFA President Gianni Infantino with his wife Leena Al Ashqar. Picture: Getty

Justin Bieber and Rihanna performed at a pre-wedding party for guests known as a ‘Sangeet’ and were reportedly paid $10 million and $7 million respectively.

Meanwhile according to sources, Adele, Drake or Lana Del Rey could take to the stage at the reception on Sunday evening.

Justin Bieber arriving at Mumbai aiport ahead of his performance
Justin Bieber arriving at Mumbai aiport ahead of his performance. Picture: Getty

The Ambanis have not revealed the wedding costs but planners estimate they've already spent between 11 billion and 13 billion rupees [£101m-£120m] while the couple's luxury wedding gifts are also valued around £100 million.

Father of the groom Mr Ambani, 67, who is listed by Forbes as the world’s 10th richest man and worth £100 billion has already gifted the newly-weds a £62 million villa on Palm Jumeriah in Dubai.

Mr Ambani’s wife Nita, 60 presented her daughter-in-law a pearl and diamond choker, worth an estimated £10 million.

Read more: Alec Baldwin weeps in court as judge dismisses manslaughter case against actor after fatal shooting on film set

Read more: Amanda Abbington considering legal action as Strictly bullying investigation worsens

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant arrive at their wedding ceremony
Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant arrive at their wedding ceremony. Picture: Getty
Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant with the Ambani family
Anant Ambani & Radhika Merchant with the Ambani family. Picture: Getty

Images from the wedding show the bride dressed in a heavy cream and red Indian bridal dress - called a lengha, with jewels and a beaded headscarf.

Meanwhile, the groom was pictured wearing a red beaded jacket - called a nehru - at the traditional Hindu ceremony at the Ambani-owned, 16,000-capacity Jio World Convention Center.

Police reportedly closed off roads surrounding the venue ahead of the massive star-studded wedding celebration that took place on Friday.

CEO of air charter company Club One Air, Rajan Mehra, told Reuters the family had rented three Falcon-2000 jets to take wedding guests to the event.

“The guests are coming from all over and each aircraft will make multiple trips across the country,” he said.

The ceremony has received a degree of backlash with those in Mumbai complaining the road closures have worsened traffic snarls caused by monsoon flooding, while others have questioned the ostentatious display of wealth at the seemingly never-ending celebrations.

Opposition politician Thomas Isaac said it was "obscene".

He posted on X: "Legally it may be their money but such ostentatious expenditure is a sin against mother earth and (the) poor."

Despite this, one unnamed executive at Reliance claimed the event was a "powerful symbol of India's growing stature on the global stage".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

People continue their daily life under difficult conditions at Jabalia Refugee Camp, located in the north of the Gaza Strip, as they struggle to survive among the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli attacks

Judge lets Gazan family settle in UK under scheme for Ukrainian refugees, sparking fears of 'floodgates opening'

John Tuckett

Labour's new borders watchdog 'to work from home in Finland', 1,200 miles from London

President Donald Trump speaks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump doubles down on pledge to 'take over Gaza', as Netanyahu threatens return to war if Israeli hostages not freed

The Princess of Wales, Patron of Action for Children, during a visit to a mother and baby unit inside HMP Styal in Wilmslow

Kate met with wolf-whistles and cries for 'more funding' as she visits women's prison

Domestic cat balancing on garden fence, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Police hunt mystery cat coiffeur after felines in rural Lincolnshire village return home missing patches of fur

Liam Payne and Maya Henry

Liam Payne 'smoked heroin and sexted fans': Bombshell revelations as ex-fiancee breaks silence on star's death

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has said Yvette Cooper will 'make sure' vetting of Metropolitan Police officers is 'overhauled'

Home secretary will ensure 'overhaul' of Met vetting process following controversial High Court ruling, Phillipson says

Exclusive
James Cleverly

James Cleverly slams 'Orwellian' assisted dying bill as High Court judge sign-off to be scrapped

The Church of England's governing body has voted against a fully independent safeguarding body

Church of England vote 'a punch in the gut for victims' as Synod rejects independent safeguarding

Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne have been suspended

Eleven Labour councillors suspended for being part of offensive WhatsApp group after two MPs also punished

A major travel agent has urged families to go on holiday during Easter rather than the summer

Save thousands by going on holiday at Easter instead of summer, British families told

Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to tear up the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu’s ultimatum to Hamas: Return hostages by Saturday deadline or ceasefire gives way to 'intense fighting'

Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney were in attendance at Denis Law's funeral

Stars pay final respects to Denis Law as Manchester United legend laid to rest

Strangers bar is to reopen following spiking allegation

MPs bar to reopen with extra security after spiking claims

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Post-mortem results reveal fatal injuries of British couple found dead at home in rural French village

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker